I grew up on about ¾ of an acre. We had two garden areas and many fruit trees. We also raised pigs, chickens and, at one point, had a cow and a pony – all of that in the outskirts of San Diego!
I always imagined having something similar when I started my own family. We have rabbit cages in the backyard and a small hydroponic garden in the office now, but I’d love to have more, so we can live more sustainably.
We have a short growing season, but I still want to tackle an outdoor garden this spring, and I really want chickens. If we had more land, I’d love to have goats as well (the lot we’re on right now is too small for goats).
Reading through Backyard Farming on an Acre (More or Less) by Angela England, I feel that it could be attainable for us! She literally breaks down everything you need to know to get started with a backyard farm.
I love that this is something she is doing in her life now – and not just talking about it! I was very impressed to read that she out-produced her in-laws who have a 2-acre garden on her ¼ acre lot! She is clearly doing many things right on her backyard farm.
The book layout is perfect to either read straight through or to jump around from chapter to chapter, depending upon what you’re researching at the moment. She covers everything to choosing a property with good soil (if you don’t have a location yet) to preserving the bounty from your backyard farm – and every single step in between. I don’t think there’s anything she left out!
If you are interested in living sustainably by growing more of your own food, Backyard Farming on an Acre (More or Less) is a must read.
Upcoming Giveaway
One lucky reader will win a copy of Backyard Farming on an Acre (More or Less) during the Green Resolutions Giveaway Hop, which begins on January 16. Be sure to come back to enter. In the meantime, be sure to Backyard Farming on Facebook.
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About Chrystal Johnson
Chrystal, publisher of Happy Mothering, is a mother of two sweet girls who believes in living a simple, natural lifestyle. A former marketing manager, Chrystal spends her time researching green and eco-friendly alternatives to improve her family's life. She enjoys sharing those discoveries with anyone who's willing to listen.
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: natnattynatalie
January 16, 2013 at 9:49 am
It’s great that you can jump from chapter to chapter. There’s nothing like reading something like that and feeling obligated to read the parts that aren’t relevant to what you’re trying to learn.
I really need this. Sounds like a simple book ,even for me to follow. I love garden food. Tomatoes yummy!(my favorite of all garden grown items).
This is on my wishlist for when we move. I’m so antsy for our own house and a backyard.
We have tried to get some stuff growing in our yard for the past two years, but we haven’t been very successful (partly due to a drought and awful soil). I’d love to take another stab this spring. This would be a great book for my husband and I to read.
I’m intrigued! Love the idea of out-producing someone with more available land.
I would love to save on produce by doing some of my own backyard farming.
This book would be amazing because we are currently renting and can’t do anything because of HOA. We are military and will be retiring in just under two years sooo… this would help us to know what to plan for when looking for a house. I am so excited to buy a house. It is good to know I can accomplish what I want on an acre.
This looks great- here in Oregon land is expensive (much more expensive than in comparable areas of the East Coast) so I would love to learn to do more with less!
What an awesome resource this book is! I like the fact that you can skip around to the applicable chapters for whatever help/facts you are looking for.
I spent a blissful decade on a small farm but now live in a tiny, suburban apartment. My husband and I long for the day we can return to the land. Books like this help keep the dream alive!
This sounds great, I’m sure that both adults at our house would love to read it. We are already doing some backyard gardening, but would love to have rabbits, chickens, etc. thanks for the review.
Twitter: juditupp
January 30, 2013 at 1:59 pm
I love this! My grandparents were urban farmers in the suburbs of Los Angeles. They had fruit trees, grew tons of veggies and strawberries. When my mom was growing up they had rabbits and chickens along with geese to chase away the dogs. I have no desire to move to the country but I want to grow as much as possible on a city lot and this book looks like a wonderful guide to doing that.
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